Proverbs 30:9 Meaning and Explanation
“Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Agur fears that excess would cause him to forget God, and poverty would tempt him to theft and blasphemy.
The Context of Proverbs 30:9
The reason for Agur's request: extremes corrupt character.
What Does Proverbs 30:9 Mean?
Agur understands that extremes of circumstance threaten character. Fullness (satiety, wealth) can lead to forgetting God and denying His reality—the ultimate spiritual danger.
Poverty, conversely, can drive a person to steal and thus profane God's name through sin. Either extreme traps the soul. Balance preserves both humility before God and moral integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 30:9
What does Proverbs 30:9 mean?
Agur fears that excess would cause him to forget God, and poverty would tempt him to theft and blasphemy.
What is the context of Proverbs 30:9?
The reason for Agur's request: extremes corrupt character.